WO2020112218A1 - Capteur de niveau de réservoir de suppression adaptable - Google Patents

Capteur de niveau de réservoir de suppression adaptable Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2020112218A1
WO2020112218A1 PCT/US2019/052043 US2019052043W WO2020112218A1 WO 2020112218 A1 WO2020112218 A1 WO 2020112218A1 US 2019052043 W US2019052043 W US 2019052043W WO 2020112218 A1 WO2020112218 A1 WO 2020112218A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sensors
interior
float
fire suppressant
tube
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2019/052043
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Marcin Piech
Tadeusz Pawel WITCZAK
Beata I. Wawrzyniak
Lukasz MAJCHRZAK
Dawid MILCAREK
Cezary JEDRYCZKA
Original Assignee
Carrier Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Carrier Corporation filed Critical Carrier Corporation
Priority to CN201980041001.1A priority Critical patent/CN112352140A/zh
Priority to US17/254,578 priority patent/US11986686B2/en
Priority to EP19782830.4A priority patent/EP3887778B1/fr
Publication of WO2020112218A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020112218A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/30—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats
    • G01F23/64—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements
    • G01F23/72—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements using magnetically actuated indicating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C13/00—Portable extinguishers which are permanently pressurised or pressurised immediately before use
    • A62C13/62—Portable extinguishers which are permanently pressurised or pressurised immediately before use with a single permanently pressurised container
    • A62C13/64—Portable extinguishers which are permanently pressurised or pressurised immediately before use with a single permanently pressurised container the extinguishing material being released by means of a valve
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C37/00—Control of fire-fighting equipment
    • A62C37/50—Testing or indicating devices for determining the state of readiness of the equipment
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/30—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats
    • G01F23/56—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats using elements rigidly fixed to, and rectilinearly moving with, the floats as transmission elements
    • G01F23/62—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats using elements rigidly fixed to, and rectilinearly moving with, the floats as transmission elements using magnetically actuated indicating means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/30—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats
    • G01F23/64—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements
    • G01F23/72—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements using magnetically actuated indicating means
    • G01F23/74—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by floats of the free float type without mechanical transmission elements using magnetically actuated indicating means for sensing changes in level only at discrete points
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F25/00—Testing or calibration of apparatus for measuring volume, volume flow or liquid level or for metering by volume
    • G01F25/20—Testing or calibration of apparatus for measuring volume, volume flow or liquid level or for metering by volume of apparatus for measuring liquid level
    • G01F25/24—Testing proper functioning of electronic circuits
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62C13/00—Portable extinguishers which are permanently pressurised or pressurised immediately before use
    • A62C13/62—Portable extinguishers which are permanently pressurised or pressurised immediately before use with a single permanently pressurised container

Definitions

  • the disclosure relates to fire suppression. More particularly, the disclosure relates to level sensing in systems using liquid agents.
  • HFC hydrofluorocarbon
  • Halon 1301 bromotrifluoromethane
  • HFC-227ea heptafluoropropane
  • replacements are readily commercially available, such as a fluoroketone formulated as dodecafluoro-2- methylpentan-3-one (l,l, l,2,2,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pentanone)
  • Kidde® ADSTM an exemplary fire suppression system
  • suppressant agents and pressurants/propellants may be used in fire suppression systems as necessary to meet desired fire suppression capabilities.
  • Such agents are stored as a liquid in one or more metal tanks (e.g., steel tanks having a cylindrical centerbody and domed ends).
  • a tank is typically positioned with its axis vertical so that one end is an upper end or top and the other a lower end or base.
  • the upper end typically has a number of ports with fittings (e.g., threaded fittings).
  • a large center port receives a discharge assembly.
  • the discharge assembly may include a fitting portion mated to the tank fitting and an external valve (e.g., automatically controllable via a control system).
  • a discharge conduit also known as a siphon tube or dip tube
  • the tanks may be connected to a suppression system serially, independently, or in distributed locations in different configurations, and may be collocated or distributed throughout a facility.
  • composition and whether internally or externally located), and the application.
  • liquid level measurement systems make use of an additional vertically-extending conduit mounted to an additional port in the tank upper end.
  • the tanks may be provided with multiple smaller off-center ports (e.g., with internally-threaded fittings) in addition to the center port. These ports may serve for various functions.
  • An exemplary such liquid level sensing system has a fitting mounted to one of those additional port fittings with a conduit (e.g., metal tube) extending vertically down toward the base of the tank.
  • the lower end of the liquid level sensing tube is closed so that the interior of the liquid level sensing tube is sealed relative to the surrounding interior of the tank.
  • a float may surround the liquid level sensing tube.
  • the float may be magnetized.
  • the float may magnetically interact with a member movable within the tube to in turn provide indication of the liquid level.
  • the liquid level sensing fitting in turn, has a removable cap or plug providing access to the upper end of the tube.
  • a magnetic weight at the end of a measuring tape, string, or other device may be located in the tube. The magnetic weight will interact with the float to be held at the same level as the float and thus at the level of the surface of liquid in the tank. This allows the level of the surface of liquid in the tank to be measured relative to the liquid level sensing fitting and thus relative to any other reference on the tank. Such measurements are typically taken periodically manually by a person assigned to the task.
  • the end of the tape opposite the weight may be connected to the removable cap or plug.
  • the user may open the cap or plug and pull to take up slack in the measuring tape.
  • the user may take a reading with the tape to determine the liquid level of the tank.
  • One aspect of the disclosure involves a fire suppressant storage device
  • a discharge assembly is mounted to the first port and comprises: a discharge valve; and a discharge conduit at least partially within the interior.
  • the discharge conduit has: an interior; and an exterior.
  • a liquid level measurement assembly is mounted to the second port and has a tube at least partially within the interior.
  • the tube has an exterior and an interior sealed relative to the surrounding tank interior.
  • a float surrounds the tube and has one or more magnets and has a range of motion.
  • a plurality of magnetic field sensors are along a carrier within the tube interior. The carrier extends from a proximal end to a distal end.
  • the plurality of magnetic field sensors comprise: a first plurality of one dimensional sensors; and at least two three-dimensional sensors distally of the first plurality.
  • said first plurality of one dimensional sensors are analog interface sensors and said at least two three-dimensional sensors are digital interface sensors.
  • said at least two three-dimensional sensor are lowermost sensors.
  • said first plurality of one dimensional sensors are at a first longitudinal spacing (Si); and said at least two three-dimensional sensors are at a second longitudinal spacing (S2) shorter than the first longitudinal spacing.
  • said at least two three-dimensional sensors are only two three-dimensional sensors sensors.
  • the fire suppressant storage device further comprises said fire suppressant within the tank interior, the discharge conduit at least partially immersed in the fire suppressant.
  • said fire suppressant comprises a clean agent.
  • the fire suppressant storage device further comprises a compressed gas propellant in a headspace of the tank.
  • the fire suppressant storage device further comprises an electronics module coupled to the plurality of magnetic field sensors and programmed for characterizing a float magnet configuration.
  • FIG. 1 Another aspect of the disclosure involves a method for remanufacturing a fire suppressant storage device from a first configuration to a second configuration.
  • the fire suppressant storage device has in the first condition: a tank having a first port, a second port, and an interior for storing fire suppressant.
  • a discharge assembly is mounted to the first port and comprises: a discharge valve; and a discharge conduit at least partially within the interior and having an interior and an exterior.
  • a liquid level measurement assembly is mounted to the second port and comprises: a tube at least partially within the interior and having: an exterior and an interior sealed relative to the surrounding tank interior.
  • a float surrounds the tube.
  • a magnetic member is axially moveable within the tube interior.
  • the method comprises: removing the magnetic member; inserting into the tube a carrier bearing a plurality of magnetic field sensors, the carrier extending from a proximal end to a distal end and electronically coupling the plurality of magnetic field sensors to an electronics module, during the inserting one or more of the magnetic field sensors passing through the float; and using said passing to calibrate the electronics module.
  • the magnetic member is a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic steel and the removing comprises removing a measuring tape with the magnetic member.
  • the carrier comprising a printed circuit board.
  • the tank has a fitting
  • the carrier comprises a cap or a plug
  • the inserting comprises mating the cap or plug to the fitting.
  • the method is performed while leaving suppressant in the tank.
  • the using said passing to calibrate the electronics module comprises: using the magnetic field sensors to characterize the float; and, based on the characterization of the float, selecting a predefined sensing algorithm from a stored plurality of predefined sensing algorithms.
  • the plurality of magnetic field sensors comprise: a first plurality of one dimensional sensors; and at least two three-dimensional sensors distally of the first plurality; the using the magnetic field sensors to characterize the float comprises using the at least two three-dimensional sensors.
  • the predefined sensing algorithm is an algorithm for use of the first plurality of one dimensional sensors.
  • FIG. l is a partially cutaway view of a fire suppressant storage device.
  • FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the device of FIG. 1
  • FIG. 3 is a broken side view of a baseline liquid level measurement assembly in a closed condition.
  • FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the baseline liquid level measurement assembly during measurement.
  • FIG. 5 is a partial side cutaway view of a replacement liquid level measurement assembly during installation.
  • FIG. 6 is a broken partial side view of the replacement liquid level measurement assembly in an installed condition.
  • FIG. 7 is a partial central vertical cutaway view of a lower portion of the replacement liquid level measurement assembly during an initialization condition.
  • FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the replacement liquid level measurement assembly of FIG. 7.
  • FIG. 9 is a plot of sensor output vs. position for a pair of calibration sensors in the replacement liquid level measurement assembly.
  • FIG. 10 is a plot of sensor output vs. rotation angle for one of the calibration sensors in the replacement liquid level measurement assembly.
  • FIG. 11 is a plot of relative sensor output vs. insertion depth for one of the calibration sensors in the replacement liquid level measurement assembly.
  • FIG. 12 is a plot of float magnet distance between sensors vs. normalized sum of sensor output for the calibration sensors in the replacement liquid level measurement assembly.
  • FIG. 13 is a plot of a rational polynomial function for a float containing two diametrically opposite magnets with the magnet polarity parallel to the length of the sensor PCB.
  • FIG. 1 shows a fire suppression storage device 20 including a tank 22.
  • the exemplary tank 22 has a body 24 including a cylindrical centerbody section 26 defining a central longitudinal axis 500. In an exemplary installation situation, the axis 500 is vertical.
  • the tank 22 has respective upper and lower domed end portions 28 and 30.
  • Exemplary tank materials are metal (e.g., steel or aluminum alloy) and the tank may represent any of numerous existing or yet-developed tank configurations.
  • the tank has an interior 32 which, in pre-discharge condition, contains a body of liquid suppressant (agent) shown having a surface 34 leaving a headspace 36 thereabove to contain compressed gas pressurant/propellant.
  • the upper end portion 28 bears a center port surrounded by a fitting 40 (e.g., internally-threaded or externally-threaded).
  • Exemplary suppressants are HFCs or non HFC agents such as FK-5-1-12 mentioned above.
  • Suppressants may broadly include“clean agents” and aqueous agents.
  • a “clean agent” is defined as an“electrically nonconductive, volatile, or gaseous fire extinguishant that does not leave a residue upon evaporation.”
  • Further“clean agents” include halocarbons (haloalkanes, haloketones, haloacids and the like) and their blends. Specific examples include fuoroform (HFC-23),
  • bromotrifluoromethane (Freon 13B1), trifluoroiodomethane (Freon 13T1), pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (HFC-227ea), and the like.
  • exemplary pressurant/propellant is N2, argon (Ar), carbon dioxide (CO2), or blends.
  • the exemplary internally threaded fitting 40 receives a lower externally threaded portion 42 (FIG. 2) of a body 44 of a discharge valve assembly 46 having a discharge valve 48.
  • the discharge valve assembly 46 combines with a discharge conduit (e.g., a metal tube) 50 to form a discharge assembly.
  • the exemplary discharge conduit 50 extends from an upper end 52 (FIG. 2) to a lower end 54 (FIG. 1).
  • An exemplary portion 56 adjacent the upper end 52 is externally threaded and received in an internally threaded bore of the discharge valve body lower portion 42.
  • the lower end 54 is well below the liquid surface 34 (FIG. 1) so that pressure in the headspace 36 (FIG. 1) will drive suppressant upward through the discharge tube if the discharge valve is open.
  • the discharge conduit axis 502 is coincident with the tank axis 500.
  • FIG. 2 shows three off-axis ports 70, 72, and 74. All are internally-threaded.
  • a top access plug 80 (FIG. 3) of the baseline liquid level sensing tube assembly is mounted to the port 70.
  • FIG. 2 also shows respective plugs 90 and 92 with the ports 72 and 74. These might respectively be re-fill ports, overpressure devices such as rupture disks or relief valves, auxiliary pressure gauges and the like. In alternative situations where an external pressure is applied.
  • pressurant/propellant e.g., an external N2“driver” tank
  • one of the ports may couple to the driver tank or the driver tank may couple to the valve assembly.
  • the retrofit may add an array of magnetic sensors (discussed below) inserted within the existing tube 100 (FIG. 3).
  • FIG. 3 shows the baseline liquid level measurement assembly as including the tube 100 depending from a lower end of the access plug 80.
  • the exemplary access plug body and tube 100 are metallic (e.g., stainless steel).
  • the exemplary tube 100 extends along a central longitudinal axis 504 shared with the plug 80 and the port 70 (FIG. 1 when assembled/installed).
  • the tube 100 extends from an open upper end 102 to a closed lower end 103 and has an inner diameter (ID) surface 104 and an outer diameter (OD) surface 105.
  • ID inner diameter
  • OD outer diameter
  • the exemplary plug 80 has an upper end 110 (FIG. 4) and a lower end 111.
  • the exemplary tube 100 is mounted to the plug 80 via an upper portion 106 welded or brazed in a lower portion of an axial passageway through the plug 80.
  • the lower portion 114 of the plug 80 has an externally threaded outer diameter (OD) surface threaded to the internal thread of the port 70.
  • the exemplary plug 80 has an upper externally threaded portion 115 received in a protective cap 116 (FIG. 3; e.g., a plastic tethered cap).
  • the tube lower end 103 (FIG. 3) is closed (e.g., plugged or capped) to isolate the interior of the tube from the liquid agent.
  • the tube is surrounded by a float 120 (FIG. 3) that moves up and down with the liquid agent surface 34 (FIG. 1).
  • a center member 122 (FIG. 3) is within the tube interior and magnetically coupled to the float 120 to move therewith even though the tube interior contains only gas or is under vacuum.
  • the exemplary tube 100 has a stop 118 limiting the downward movement of the float.
  • An exemplary stop is a metallic clip in a groove (not shown) in the tube OD surface 105.
  • An alternative might be the rim of a cap (not shown) threaded to the lower end of the tube.
  • the exemplary baseline system is of the type having a simple magnetic center member 122 (e.g., permanent magnet or ferromagnetic steel) within the tube at one end of a tape measure 140 (FIG. 3).
  • the exemplary float 120 has one or more magnets 130 (FIG. 3).
  • the magnet(s) may form a continuous or segmented annulus or a
  • FIG. 3 thus represents both a central longitudinal sectional view through a float having an annular magnet and a central longitudinal view through a float having a circumferential array of magnets (with the cut plane intersecting diametrically opposed magnets such as cylindrical magnets).
  • the retrofit is performed in situ without removing suppressant and without breaking the sealed nature of the tank interior.
  • the protective cap 116 (FIG. 3) is first removed by a user (e.g., a technician) from the plug 80 atop the baseline liquid level measuring assembly as if one were going to conduct a measurement.
  • the technician may then actually conduct a measurement using the baseline assembly by taking up the slack in the tape measure 140 (FIG. 4) and taking a measurement. This measurement may be used in calibrating the retrofit.
  • the technician may then remove the tape measure 140 and its attached magnetic member 122 and discard.
  • the exemplary baseline system has a slotted plastic plug 142 (FIG. 4) in the top of the plug 80.
  • the tape measure passes freely through the slot but a stop 144 (e.g., molded plastic) at the upper end of the tape measure does not.
  • the technician may simply pry the plastic plug 142 out of the plug 80.
  • the tube 100 is open at its top to the external building environment.
  • the float 120 around the tube is at the surface level of the suppressant.
  • the technician installs into the tube a carrier 150 (FIG. 5) bearing a plurality of magnetic sensors 152, 154.
  • An exemplary carrier 150 is a printed circuit board.
  • the carrier 150 extends from an upper or proximal end 156 to a lower or distal end 158.
  • An upper or proximal end portion is mounted to a mounting member 160.
  • a mounting member 160 is a plastic plug (not shown) that would replace the slotted plastic plug 142.
  • An alternative is a plastic or metal cap (e.g., internally-threaded) that replaces the FIG. 3 protective cap 116.
  • the exemplary mounting member 160 has upper electrical contacts (e.g., in a connector such as a socket or plug - not shown) for mating with an electronics module 166.
  • Alternative configurations may have a connector connected via wires to a more remote electronics module (not shown - e.g., mounted to the discharge valve body).
  • the electronics module 166 is pre-assembled to the mounting member 160 and is running in a setup or calibration mode. The technician inserts the PCB 150 down into the tube until it reaches a fully-inserted condition (FIG. 6). The insertion causes at least some of the sensors 152, 154 to pass downward through the height of the magnet(s) of the float.
  • the electronics module 166 is actively receiving input from the sensors. This provides information regarding how the sensors respond to the influence of the magnet(s) 130. Not all sensors need pass by the magnet(s)
  • the PCB has an evenly spaced array of identical sensors, only two sensors need pass fully through the relevant range of influence of the magnet(s) to calibrate the other sensors.
  • An exemplary module 166 may include one or more: processors; memory (e.g., for storing program information for execution by the processor to perform the operational methods and for storing data used or generated by the program(s)); hardware interface devices (e.g., ports) for interfacing with the PCB; user input devices (e.g., pushbutton or other switches and/or a touchscreen; user output devices (e.g., lights such as LEDs, speakers for audible output, displays (e.g., said touchscreen); electronic communication devices (Ethernet ports for wired communication or radios for RF communication such as WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular and the like).
  • processors e.g., for storing program information for execution by the processor to perform the operational methods and for storing data used or generated by the program(s)
  • hardware interface devices e.g., ports
  • user input devices e.g., pushbutton or other switches and/or a touchscreen
  • user output devices e.g., lights such as LEDs, speakers for audible output
  • Such non-uniformity or asymmetry is optionally be addressed via the use of three-dimensional (3D) sensors.
  • the illustrated configuration shows two 3D sensors 154 low on the PCB and a plurality of one-dimensional (ID) sensors 152 thereabove.
  • the ID sensors are used for ultimately measuring liquid level; the 3D sensors are used for confirming magnetic field symmetry and calibration.
  • the combination of 3D and ID sensors is desirable because ID sensors offer an advantageous combination of a higher resolution and lower cost than the 3D sensors.
  • the 3D sensors facilitate recognition of the float magnet configuration (e.g., symmetric or asymmetric magnetic field distribution at the sensor location) and serve to calibrate the sensor response in situ.
  • the calibration comprises characterizing the float (e.g., identifying the nature of the float such as magnet distribution, magnetic field strength and magnetic field distribution). Based on the characterization obtained by the 3D sensors 154, the control module selects an algorithm from a plurality of predetermined algorithms (e.g., corresponding to specific known floats (e.g. for known models of existing float) or specific known float configurations) and populates any open fields in such algorithms (e.g., particular constants in an equation used in the algorithm).
  • a plurality of predetermined algorithms e.g., corresponding to specific known floats (e.g. for known models of existing float) or specific known float configurations
  • any open fields in such algorithms e.g., particular constants in an equation used in the algorithm.
  • the exemplary ID sensors 152 are at a single longitudinal/vertical on-center spacing Si.
  • the exemplary 3D sensors 154 are at a smaller on-center spacing S2.
  • Exemplary Si is 40.0-50.0 mm, more broadly 20-60 mm.
  • Exemplary S2 is 10.0-30.0 mm, more broadly 8.0-35.0 mm.
  • Exemplary Si/ S2 is at least 2.0, more particularly 2.0-5.0. The smaller relative spacing may be due to the lower sensitivity typical of 3D sensors relative to ID sensors.
  • Exemplary ID sensors 152 are single-axis Hall effect sensors.
  • Exemplary analog interface programmable three-pin sensors are available as part. no. TLE4997 from Infineon Technologies AG, Kunststoff, Germany.
  • Exemplary 3D sensors are three-axis Hall effect sensors.
  • Exemplary digital interface six-pin sensors are available as part. no. TLV493D- A1B6 from Infineon Technologies AG, Kunststoff, Germany.
  • An exemplary total on-center span S3 of the array of ID sensors 152 is 600 mm to lm. In most cases the span S3 is dictated by the length of the tube 100, which can range from 10 mm to 2000 mm, more typically 250 mm to 2000 mm. Typically, the span S 3 will be at least 25% of a height of the tank interior (e.g., 15% to 100% or 25% to 95% or 40% to 95%).
  • the two 3D sensors 154 will pass through the relevant range of influence of the magnet(s) 130. From the 3D sensors, the particular nature of the float magnets is determined both in terms of the circumferential asymmetry or unevenness (if any) and the axial variation relative to the float.
  • the float 120 (FIGs. 7 and 8) contains two diametrically opposite magnets 130.
  • the magnet polarity is parallel to the length of the PCB, while the diameter between magnet centers is parallel to the face of the PCB to which the sensors 152, 154 are mounted.
  • the PCB 150 carries the two 3D sensors 154 at an on-center spacing S2 of an exemplary 30 mm (FIG. 7).
  • the 3D sensors read the float’s magnetic field in z-axis (along the PCB length).
  • FIG. 9 shows a zero depth arbitrarily defined as when the lower sensor (solid line plot) is aligned with the magnets.
  • FIG. 9 shows a zero depth arbitrarily defined as when the lower sensor (solid line plot) is aligned with the magnets.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates S2 insertion when the upper sensor (broken line plot) aligns with the magnets.
  • the lower 3D sensor reads the maximum (positive) field from the float, while the upper 3D sensor just begins to notice it.
  • both 3D sensors read the minimum (negative) field.
  • the upper 3D sensor reads the maximum field from the float magnets, while the lower 3D sensor barely registers it.
  • the float contains a single magnet with polarity parallel to the PCB (e.g., if only one of the two magnets 130 was present)
  • the z- and y-axis sensor responses present a different symmetry with respect to the angular rotation (empty circles in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11). Based on measurements from the single 3D sensor, the symmetry of the magnetic field distribution produced by float magnets is thus discerned.
  • a three-step process involves: characterizing the float (e.g., magnet configuration); selecting the appropriate sensor array; and calibrating that sensor array.
  • An exemplary method for determining the float magnet configuration comprises the following sub -step s/acts.
  • the technician seeks to vertically register or align the PCB 150 with the float 120.
  • the technician may connect the PCB 150 to the electronics module 166 with the PCB outside of the tube 100 and command the module 166 to enter the alignment mode (e.g. via a user interface (such as buttons), or the module may automatically enter this mode).
  • the electronics module 166 reads the 3D sensor 154 outputs with high frequency (high is relative to the likely speed of insertion so that the cycles correspond to fine movements relative to the sensor spacing e.g., 1-30 Hz and preferably 5-10 Hz).
  • the technician inserts the sensor PCB into the tube 100 until the lower 3D sensor 154 registers with the magnets. Registry occurs when the lower sensor 154 detects the maximum magnetic field. This maximum is determined by the electronics module 166 comparing the successive sensor readings.
  • the sensor 154 (lower of the two sensors 154 in this example) first outputs negative field values and then increasing positive values until the maximum at 0 relative insertion depth. Past the maximum, the sensor then outputs again decreasing positive values.
  • the electronics module compares each new sensor output to the proceeding one. When a threshold (e.g., five) such successive sensor readings indicate a trend of decreasing sensor output (this number could be different based on the sampling frequency of the detected output values; for example it could be 3-90 when using output acquisition frequency between l-30Hz, respectively), the electronics module communicates to the technician that the maximum has been reached. Exemplary communication is by light output (e.g., blinking LED, LED color change) or audio message (e.g. beeping sound, voice recording).
  • light output e.g., blinking LED, LED color change
  • audio message e.g. beeping sound, voice recording
  • the technician stops the PCB 150 insertion into the tube 100.
  • the next stage involves the module 166 determining a rotational profile of the float magnet(s).
  • the technician will rotate the PCB 150 about the axis 504 (the z-axis) of the tube.
  • the technician activates the electronics module for the sensor output acquisition in both z-axis and x-axis at high frequency (relative to rotation to provide desired granularity, e.g., 1-30 Hz and preferably 5-10 Hz) by pressing the appropriate input button on the module (if not automatically done by the module).
  • the technician then rotates the sensor PCB 150 is around the z-axis 504 of the tube 100 through the full 360 degrees (while maintaining axial position) to capture the float magnetic field distribution as a function of the rotation angle.
  • the module 166 may record z- and x- output vs. time. The technician may preferably go slightly beyond 360 degrees.
  • the technician may then command the electronics module to stop data acquisition (e.g., by pressing the appropriate input button on the module if the module is not configured to automatically go to the next stage).
  • the electronics module 166 processes the acquired data to determine the float magnet configuration.
  • the module may be programmed to clean the data to compensate for over or under rotation from the ideal 360 degrees and for uneven rotational speed. This involves programming to identify the cycle in sensor output knowing that there will only be a small deviation from 360 degrees and knowing that other than single-magnet situations, there will be some cyclical symmetry. More basically, the module 166 may count maxima and minima for the two 3D sensors 154 and also determine correlation between them.
  • the module 166 may be preprogrammed with maps corresponding to rotational sensor output profiles (or simply maxima and /or minima counts and correlations) for known magnet distributions. The module may then compare the data (e.g., the number and the relative magnitude of the extracted maxima and minima for the acquired data in both the z- axis and the x-axis measurements) with look-up tables stored in memory. Thus, for example, when the float has a ring magnet, the z-axis and x-axis measurements show no maxima nor minima - the sensor output values remain constant during the sensor PCB rotation (solid lines in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11).
  • constant z-axis sensor output signifies a symmetric placement of the float magnets and use of ID sensors will yield in that case accurate determination of the float position between the successive sensors.
  • changing z-axis sensor output during the sensor PCB rotation signifies asymmetric float magnet configuration, where the use of ID sensors will not facilitate accurate float position determination.
  • the electronics module upon characterizing the float, notifies the technician by light output (e.g., blinking LED, LED color change) or audio message (e.g. beeping sound, voice recording) whether the float magnet configuration is symmetric (for example green LED signal) or asymmetric (for example red LED signal).
  • the float magnet configuration is suitable for the sensor PCB containing the ID sensors and the technician may proceed to sensor calibration.
  • the technician upon viewing the displayed indication of an asymmetric float may then substitute an all-3D sensor (more expensive) board and afterwards proceed to the sensor calibration stage.
  • the exemplary level calibration is carried out only after the float magnet configuration has been determined as described above.
  • the exemplary level calibration comprises the following sub - step s/acts.
  • the module has already determined whether an all-3D sensor PCB is needed to address magnet asymmetry. In the case of a symmetric float magnet configuration, the PCB 150 with mixed 3D and ID sensors may continue to be used.
  • an all-3D PCB (not shown) has a single array of 3D sensors 154 at a single on-center spacing.
  • the technician activates the electronics module 166 to read the 3D sensor outputs (sensors 154 in PCB 150 or the lowest two sensors in the all-3D PCB) with high frequency (e.g., 1-30 Hz and preferably 5-10 Hz) by pressing the appropriate input button on the module (or this mode may be automatic).
  • the technician then inserts the PCB into the tube 100 until the upper (of the two or of the lowest two) 3D sensor 154 detects the maximum magnetic field of the float. In FIG. 9, this corresponds to the point S2 relative insertion depth, whereby the upper 3D sensor output designated by the broken line in the plot reads the maximum.
  • both the lower and the upper 3D sensor output signals are acquired simultaneously in the entire range of the float positions between them (i.e., from 0 to S2 insertion depth in the FIG. 9 plot).
  • the module calculates the difference of the two z-axis signals: (lower sensor - upper sensor outputs) and the sum of these two signals (lower sensor + upper sensor outputs). This is shown in FIG. 12 for the example of the float containing two diametrically opposite magnets with the magnet polarity parallel to the length of the sensor PCB.
  • the signal difference gives a single valued function allowing determination of the float location between the two sensors (dashed line in FIG. 12). Specifically, positive function value indicates that the float is positioned 0 to S2/2 from the upper sensor. Analogously, negative function value indicates the float position S2/2 to S2 from the upper sensor towards the lower one.
  • the sum of the two sensor output signals is used to determine more precisely the float position between the two sensors (solid line in FIG. 12).
  • the electronics module performs
  • FIG. 13 illustrates such a rational polynomial function plotted for the case of the float containing two diametrically opposite magnets with the magnet polarity parallel to the length of the sensor PCB.
  • the module 166 may then store the resulting function to use in operation to determine the relative position of the float magnets between any two of the sensors 152 (for the mixed PCB) or 154 for the all-3D PCB.
  • the float position between two successive sensors is determined from z- axis and x-axis measurements.
  • the electronics module multiplies the z-axis sensor outputs by a scaling factor prior to evaluation of the float location via the look-up table or the inverse function.
  • This scaling factor is dependent on the float rotation relative to the sensor PCB corresponding and correlates to the x-axis sensor measurement.
  • the scaling factor is itself a function of the x-axis sensor measurement and is stored in the processor memory for each unique float configuration. Considering an example of a float containing a single magnet with polarization parallel to the sensor PCB, FIG.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Level Indicators Using A Float (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de stockage d'agent d'extinction (20) comprenant : un réservoir (22) doté d'un premier orifice (40), d'un second orifice (70) et d'un intérieur (32) pour stocker un agent d'extinction. Un ensemble d'évacuation (46) est monté sur le premier orifice et comprend : une soupape d'évacuation (48) ; et un conduit d'évacuation (50). Le conduit d'évacuation se trouve au moins partiellement à l'intérieur et comporte un intérieur et un extérieur. Un ensemble de mesure de niveau de liquide est monté sur le second orifice et est constitué d'un tube (100) situé au moins partiellement à l'intérieur comportant : un extérieur et un intérieur scellés par rapport à l'intérieur du réservoir adjacent. Un flotteur (120) entoure le tube et est doté d'un ou plusieurs aimants (130) et comporte une plage de mouvement. Une pluralité de capteurs de champ magnétique (152, 154) est disposée le long d'un support (150) à l'intérieur du tube. Le support s'étend d'une extrémité proximale à une extrémité distale. La pluralité de capteurs de champ magnétique (152, 154) comprend : une première pluralité de capteurs dimensionnels (152) ; et au moins deux capteurs tridimensionnels distants de la première pluralité (154).
PCT/US2019/052043 2018-11-30 2019-09-20 Capteur de niveau de réservoir de suppression adaptable WO2020112218A1 (fr)

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CN201980041001.1A CN112352140A (zh) 2018-11-30 2019-09-20 可适应抑制罐液位传感器
US17/254,578 US11986686B2 (en) 2018-11-30 2019-09-20 Adaptable suppression tank level sensor
EP19782830.4A EP3887778B1 (fr) 2018-11-30 2019-09-20 Capteur de niveau de réservoir de suppression adaptable

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US62/773,286 2018-11-30

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EP3887778A1 (fr) 2021-10-06
CN112352140A (zh) 2021-02-09
US20210275846A1 (en) 2021-09-09
US11986686B2 (en) 2024-05-21
EP3887778B1 (fr) 2023-01-11

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